King Mahendra’s Major Role in Restoring Sovereignty & Territorial Integrity

By Shashi P.B.B. Malla

Contemporary Nepalese history does not at all appreciate King Mahendra’s stupendous role in restoring and preserving Nepal’s autonomy.

After India itself achieved independence from British role, it saw itself as the premier power in South Asia.

At the same time it considered China a peer power in the whole of Asia.

But the Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim were considered not only buffer states but wholly within its sphere of influence.

They were considered not fully sovereign, and in fact, deemed within India’s sphere of intimidation or hegemony.

The hawkish wing of India’s ruling party, the Indian National Congress, led by Sardar Vallabhai Patel wanted to incorporate the Himalayan Kingdoms into the Indian Union outright.

Patel was overruled by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who opted for a softer approach.

Nevertheless, Nepal (and the other Himalayan Kingdoms) came increasingly under the thumb of New Delhi.

For many years, interference by New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in the internal affairs of Nepal was indeed rampant.

Many senior politicians and civil servants were even in the pay of their Indian masters.

For all intents and purposes, Indian bureaucrats were ‘micro-managing’ Nepali affairs – both domestic and international – for quite a lengthy period.

Nepalese in the pockets of the Indian ‘babus’ were quite happy with this arrangement. After all there was a steady source of illicit income, and their sons and daughters were assured of scholarships at Indian universities.

India even managed to establish military posts within Nepalese territory as a matter of fact to protect its own security perimeter.

The northern part of the Nepal Himalaya became India’s de facto boundary vis-à-vis China to secure its own national interests.

As far as Nepal’s external policy was concerned, India attempted to curb Nepal’s endeavour to diversify its foreign relations.

In the emerging Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union, India had strengthened its relations with the latter. It used its influence with the Soviet Union which again and again vetoed Nepal’s application for membership in the United Nations.

King Mahendra was observing all these developments with rising alarm.

The political parties were not capable or even interested in any way of maintaining the country’s national interests and the nation was going to the dogs.

King Mahendra, therefore, decided to act decisively.

In the tradition of his illustrious ancestor Prithvi Narayan Shah, he made domestic development front and centre, and chartered an independent path in foreign policy.

He overcame Nepal’s isolated, geopolitical position.

He overcame the hindrance of geography and made it into an asset.

And he had fully learnt the lessons of history – above all how to overcome India’s interference.  

The current government of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party under Balen Shah would do well to learn and apply from King Mahendra’s brilliant achievements.

• King Mahendra’s stupendous coronation showcased Nepal’s tremendous diversity and traditions. It had preserved its ancient Hindu culture which was a world apart from that of its southern neighbour.

It highlighted its Hindu-Buddhist syncretism.

However, it was not all pomp and show.

It was also a political statement par excellence.

Representatives of world powers and others came to pay homage.

Thereafter, Nepal rapidly expanded its diplomatic representation abroad.

• King Mahendra established cordial relations with the Soviet Union. Nepal’s membership in the United Nations became a reality.
• He resuscitated the ancient relations with China and met personally with Mao Zedong.

He was received not as the head of state of a minor country, but as leader of an important, friendly neighbour.

In the face of stiff opposition from India and the West, he initiated the building of the Kodari Highway to Tibet.

He rebutted criticism by sarcastically stating that ‘Communism doesn’t come in a truck’.

• He established the fact that Nepal’s external relations was no longer one-sided, that relations with India were not so special after all.
• Again, in spite of stiff opposition from the southern neighbour, King Mahendra initiated the East-West Highway from Mechi to Mahakali.
• Then, in an act of supreme liberation, all Indian advisers were told to go home and all Indian military posts (except the one in Kalapani in a gesture of goodwill, but which was not reciprocated in the future) withdrawn.
• In King Mahendra’s state visits to the UK, USA and the Netherlands, he was received with great honour. Nepal was truly punching above its weight.

His was a country at peace with itself and the world.

Unfortunately, with the restoration of so-called ‘multi-party democracy’, the slide in the political system started anew.

Above all, the political parties embraced the Indian view that since the Nepalese monarchy was the symbol of Nepali unity and nationalism, it must be eradicated.

And they succeeded in their wildest dreams!

The writer can be reached at: shashimalla125@gmail.com